Shattered Scepters

DISCLAIMER:
I own nothing. The Clan names, discipline names and structure, titles and other such things are copyrighted to White Wolf Game Studio. Neither I, nor this story, are affiliated with White Wolf or any of their associates or subsidiaries, nor do I receive any monetary compensation from the publication of this narrative.


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CHAPTER 21: STICKS & STONES

Lolli has been pacing for over two hours, and for the past two hours Jeremiah has watched her with ever increasing boredom.

“You know that carpet does have a limited life span.”

She tugs on her twin braids. “Ten days. It’s been ten days. Where is he? Ten days.”

“I tracked him to a manor in northwest part of town; I’d wager he’s still there.” Jeremiah said.

“I need to get him. He’s hurting, I know it!”

“You need to stay out of this. There ain’t much love between Malkavian and Ventrue in this town. As the Primogen your actions could be taken as an act of war.” Jeremiah reasoned

“Ten days.” She picks up one of her eyeless stuffed animals and clutches it close. “Ten days.” Tears began spilling down her face. Pacing and crying have been all she’s done since Stephan’s phone call. If Stephan were in the room at that moment Jeremiah swears he’d punch the boy square in the face. Lolli insists that this is serious, Jeremiah is silently grateful she has finally stopped pacing.

“Why not report her return to the Prince?”

“All I have is a phone call from a missing ghoul.” She sniffs, using the sleeves of her black shirt to dry her crimson tears. “And you said it yourself it looks as if there is no activity at the manor.”

“There’s nuthin’ we can do, little girl. Not until he resurfaces. We just gotta wait this out.” Jeremiah sooths.

“I hate waiting.” She mutters, and begins pacing again.

“Not as much as I hate watching you pace.”

“Then why stay?! Go hunt Sydney!” she snaps, throwing the toy at him. He casually dodges the fuzzy projectile.

“I already caught Sydney; I’m just hangin’ about to make sure you don’t do anything foolish.”

Again tugging on her braids she begins to walk again, muttering “Ten days.”

..~~~**~~~..

Someone is whimpering softly with pain, and it takes Stephan several seconds to realize the person is not him, but John. Stephan wants to check on his friend, but in his weakened state can barely bring himself to move anything more than his head.

“John?” He hoarsely whispers, his throat so parched it hurts to speak. When there was no response Stephan calls out again.

“No!” John gasped, curling into a tight ball.

“It’s Stephan.” He sooths; John’s response seems to be to curl into a tighter ball.

“This is your fault.” Antonio accuses, glaring at Stephan’s back through blackened eyes. “You and your fucking infatuation with that fucking Kook.” He snarls weakly.

Stephan ignores Antonio and does what he can to ease John’s discomfort. John stops shrinking from Stephan’s touch, but the pained whimpering sounds continue.

“Because of you we have to suffer.” he continues.

“My orders are to keep her happy and obtain information. If she desires intercourse I am forbidden to refuse.” Stephan’s tone is flat and emotionless as usual. He tries focusing on an injury to John’s all ready damaged leg in an effort to repress the growing anger he is feeling.

“And I bet you hated every minute you ‘had’ to fuck the whore.” He snarls. It is becoming an effort for Stephan to control his anger, which is now creeping into his eyes. John can see the emotion rise and grabs Stephan’s arm, his face is a silent warning to keep his feeling for Lolli hidden. If the others knew, they may seek retribution against her…Primogen or no.

“I would be lying if I said it was unpleasant.” Stephan responds his voice barely hiding the repressed anger. Stephan closes his eyes in an effort to control himself, fatigue making it difficult for him to maintain his famed control.

“I know the deal mistress offered you. Is the Malk really worth all of this!?” Antonio demanded, his voice getting stronger.

“Yes.” Stephan says beneath his breath, his voice so low only John heard him.

“She’s just a whore! Why protect her?!”

“Amata.” John barely whispers at the sight of the anger rising in Stephan’s eyes. Again Stephan closes his eyes and lowers his head. His hands form into tight fists, his unnaturally strong nails biting into his palms as he struggles against the building rage.

“Frank would kill him.” John says. “And if Frank didn’t there would be the rest of the Malkavians and maybe even the Gangrel who would.”

“Fuck you gimp!” Antonio snaps. Stephan’s control shatters, he spins quickly landing the most impressive right hook in history. Antonio crumples to the floor dazed and barely conscious.

“If you are angry with me, then deal with me.” Stephan growls as unconscious claims Antonio.

“So feisty.” Rorschach teases, making her presence known as she emerges from the shadows. Stephan quickly gets to his feet to face his tormentor. The demon-child gracefully glides closer to Stephan, her bare feet making little noise as she moves. She ignores John’s frantic scrambling, David’s whimpering and Elise’s soft sobbing. Her pale green eyes are locked on her favorite toy as Stephan backs into the wall in an effort to avoid her.

“What do I have to do to break you?” she asks, her ghouls quickly grab Stephan and roughly force him to kneel, holding his arms out.

“Hmm?” she asks, when Stephan does not answer. Her tiny fingers trace the scepter that is now branded into his chest. Stephan cannot stop the pained sounds that escape past his cracked lips. She leans in closer, her cool lips brushing against his ear.

“You keep yourself so locked away.” She whispers, knowing her close proximity makes Stephan nervous.

“How can I hurt you if you lock yourself away?” her child’s voice sweetly asks. He can hear the child like pout on her demon lips as she speaks. Again Stephan remains silent, but he cannot stop his heart from racing in his throat. Tiny fingers casually trace random shapes on his chest.

“You’re not playing fair.” She accuses. Adrenaline is now flooding his veins.

Slowly she runs the tip of her tongue up the throbbing vein in Stephan’s neck following it up to his ear. “I like the taste of your fear.” She says. He almost wishes she would bite him, and savors the fantasy of his blood causing her pain.

Her tongue then carefully traces the line of his jaw until her pale green eyes try capture Stephan’s gaze. She casually drapes her arms about his neck. He is careful to not look her in the eyes.

“If you do not look me in the eyes, I will pluck the right one out and make John eat it while you watch.” Her lips brushing against his as she speaks in a low warning tone. Stephan knows full well that Rorschach does not bluff and forces his dark eyes roll up and look into hers.

“My apologies, mistress, it is an old habit.” He says hoarsely, his voice trembling slightly as he tries to pull back from her.

“I have an old habit of my own. Do you know what it is?” she asks, her eyes sparkling with dark joy.

“No, mistress, I do not know.”

“Then let me show you.” She whispers with an evil grin upon her lips. With a snap of her dainty fingers Stephan is dragged away from the others.

..~~~**~~~..

Isabella sits in the dark at her father’s desk, her eyes glassy as she stares at a random spot on the dark wood desktop. She has not left the manor since her return, nor has she turned the lights on, the dark is a soothing and familiar companion that allows her to think. Silently she rises to her feet and walks to her study, her mind still plotting.

According to her ghouls’ reports the assassination attempt on Chris, Caird and Frank had failed. Antonio reported that the Brujah became suspicious of Mason and he broke under questioning. That is the official report that everyone in Vegas knows, except for a small handful who knows the truth; a small handful which does not include Isabella.

Isabella sits on the couch in her study and picks up the clipboard resting on the small end table to her left. Still in the dark she carefully reviews her list of things to do, some items are checked off. She had called the leasing offices of her ghouls’ residences and cancelled the leases, graciously accepting the reminder that their belongings need to be moved out by the end of the month only 18 days away. She wrote down a quick note to arrange for movers to pack and move her ghouls’ belongings.

She had all ready contacted Sam and cancelled her contract, making it clear that no one is to be notified of the cancellation. Sam, if nothing else, holds the privacy of his clients to be sacred. Confidentiality is completely assured.

The other items on her list are more names than items to do, and that is what had her stumped for the past few days. She wants Peltier dead, after all the bitch had done nothing to help her when was being held captive.

Perhaps the Malk would be willing to take on Peltier? Isabella chews on her thumbnail as she considers this. There is a definite animosity between the two women. Lolli will probably want Stephan as payment for the job, and that is a price Isabella refuses to pay. She does not barter with her ghouls as though they are a commodity, but she may be able to persuade Lolli into believing that Stephan’s life is on the line. She can fabricate a story that Peltier took Stephan in an effort to ‘reeducate him’ … completely believable as this has almost happened in the past.

She would have to arrange for someone to gather her ghouls and get them to a Ventrue run hospital to avoid Lolli running into Stephan…. This just might work.

Isabella momentarily thinks about ending their session with Rorschach, then quickly decides that it can wait a couple more hours. She was on roll with this plot and doesn’t want to lose her train of thought.

..~~~**~~~..

“Any sign of Isabella?” Brandon asks.

“No. The manor has been dark since her escape. The cars out front are the only indication that anyone is home.” The woman whispers.

“Jess, we’ve been watching the house for days…are we certain she is even in there?”

“There has been no sighting of her anywhere else. And a week or so ago her ghouls brought in some ‘fresh meat’ I think she’s there and suspects someone is after is after her. If we wait she will lower her guard.”

“Good thing we are both very good at waiting.” He comments.

“It’s the mark of a true hunter.” She agrees.

..~~~**~~~..

“What have you done about this?” Chris asks, spreading out a series of gruesome crime scene pictures. “You promised your sister would be stopped.”

Lolli stops pacing a looks at the pictures of 15 different murders. She pulls five out and sets them in one pile then pulls out two more and places them in a second pile.

“These are Sudney’s.” She points to the remaining 8 pictures. I don’t know who did those.” She point to the pile of five.

“How do you know?” Chris asks.

“Sydney is left-handed, the slashes on these move from right to left.” She explains pointing to the ‘Sydney’ pile. “These move left to right which means the killer is right-handed.” She waves at the pile of five pictures.

“And what of these?” Chris holds up the two pictures Lolli had separated.

“Those are mine. Self defense, the jerks tried to mug me.”

“You didn’t have to kill them.” Chris calmly explains, gathering up all of the pictures.

“I was scared. I got carried away. I’m sorry.”

“Back to Sydney. Have you caught her? I cannot have a Kindred serial killer running about my city.” Chris’ tone is a little more stern.

“I have caught her, sir.” Jeremiah says, watching Lolli stand up and begin to pace in the large office.

“Then why are you still here?” Frank asks, still leaning against the wall behind Chris.

“I’m keeping an eye on the little lady, sir. She ain’t taking her boy’s disappearance too well. I’m just trying to keep her from doing something foolish.”

“How long have he and the others been missing?” Chris asks, cautiously eyes the mumbling Malkavian.

“Lolli, how long has your boy been missing?” Jeremiah asks, not bother to look at her.

“Ten days, 4 hours, 18 minutes.” She answers quickly and without hesitation.

“Does she know where he’s at?” Frank asks.

“I tracked his car to the Bruno Manor, but there ain’t no activity going on there.”

“If I am going to raid a Kindred’s haven I will something more than the word of a missing ghoul.” Chris says with an apologetic tone.

“Yes sir, we understand that.” Jeremiah says.

“And I expect you to do the same.” Chris speaks a little louder when he addresses Lolli. Lolli turns her green eyes to Chris and the look in them in foreign and unfriendly. Jeremiah and Frank tense, until she blinks rapidly coming back to the present time.

“What?” She asks tugging on her twin braids.

“I am forbidding you from raiding a Ventrue property. Tension is high enough between your two clans and I will not have a clan war. Do you understand?” Chris sternly asks.

Lolli bites her bottom lip and nods.

“If you have proof that Isabella has returned, you bring that proof to me and I will decide what will happen. Got it?”

Again she nods.

“You’ve never broken a promise to me; Lolli I want you to promise me.”

“I promise.” She says after a moment of silence.

“Promise what?” He is not new in dealing with this Malkavian.

“I promise I will not attack any Ventrue properties before talking to you.” She answers with a pout.

“Thank you. Now about Sydney...”

“She’s locked up, she can’t hurt anyone.” Lolli assures, still pacing.

“I want her out of my city.”

“A week. Please, just give me a week before Jeremiah and Sydney leave. Please?”

Chris sighs as he looks into her big, green eyes and agrees to give her a week, providing that Sydney does not escape.

“Thank you.” She says with a soft smile.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have some other business to attend to.” Chris says, watching the Malkavian and her ghoul leave.

“What are you planning, little girl, you promised real quick like.” Jeremiah asks as they make their way down a flight of stairs.

“Can we go look?” she quickly asks. “Please, just real quick. I promise I won’t get out of the car. I promise.” She pleads, grabbing onto his arm.

“You just promised him …”

“I promised I wouldn’t attack any Ventrue property, this isn’t an attack. It’s just peeking. Please I promise I’ll stay in the car.” She repeats.

Jeremiah knows this is a bad idea, and Lolli can see his internal struggle.

“Please cowboy … please.” She pleads.

“Your sire is going to string me up, you know this right?”

“I’ll talk to him. Pretty please?”

“All right, as long as you stay in the van.”

“Thank you.” She kisses his cheek and runs towards his van.

“Hot damn, you’re going to be the death of me yet.” Jeremiah mutters as she follows the dark haired woman at a casual pace.

..~~~**~~~..

“I got a black Van. Looks like a 1970’s Chevy ‘shorty’ no plates that I can see.” Brandon reports. Jess quickly pulls out her binoculars out and looks at the van in question.

“I don’t know. Don’t recognize the driver.” She quietly reports. “Can you make out the passenger?”

“Holy fuck it’s the Malkavian.” Brandon gasps.

“What?”

“It’s her. It’s Lollipop. Holy fuck what is she doing here?” Brandon says.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t look like they’re stopping; just driving real slow.”

“You think they’re casing the joint?” Brandon asks.

“It’s possible. She might be looking for Stephan. Rumor is she’s got a thing for him.”

“Poor guy, now he’s got a Malkavian stalker on top of a sadistic Regnant. Maybe we should just kill him the next time we see him. Him and John both end their misery.”

“We can do that, but we need to get Isabella first, deal?” Jess asks, watching the black van circle around the parked cars and slowly drive away.

“Deal.”

..~~~**~~~..

“That’s his car! Right there!” Lolli excitedly squeals pointing to the black Lexus. “Can we take a look? Please?”

“You promised.”

“Ok, you look and I’ll stay in the van. Please?

“No.”

“Pretty please. Cowboy, I have to know. Please? Please?”

“Damn it girl.” Jeremiah says, and then sighs. “Tell you what. How about I drop you off at home. You stay there and I’ll come back and check things out. Deal.”

“You’d do that?”

“You remind me a lot of my daughter, God rest her soul. I’ll do what I can for you. But you gotta promise me you’re gonna stay put.”

“I swear…I promise I will stay home and wait for you come back. Cross my heart and hope to die, stake my heart and leave me to fry.” She hurriedly says, placing a hand over her heart.

“All right, I’m gonna circle around and drop you off at home and I’ll head back here to look for clues about your boy.”

..~~~**~~~..

Stephan lays stretched on the rack with Rorschach straddling his hips. As she placed another long thin needle into his chest causing Stephan to cry out with pain.

“It’s like acupuncture, but instead of healing…” she slowly twists one of the other needles, causing him more pain. “…I use it for educational purposes.”

She giggles and carefully reaches for another needle, Stephan screams again as she slowly twists it back and forth between her tiny forefinger and thumb. Stephan’s vision begins to blur, as blessed unconsciousness begins to envelope him.

“Oh no you don’t.” she says, quickly pulling two pins out. Stephan again cries out and is now fully awake.

“Ma’am?” One Rorschach’s smaller ghouls say.

“Yes?” She asks, not looking up as she pulls out 2 more pins.

“Ms. Bruno is on her way.” He reports.

“But I’m not done playing.” She protests, sounding very much like the child she once was.

“My apologies, ma’am.” He acknowledges with a bow.

“No fair.” She pouts, quickly ripping out the last pins, pulling an impressive scream out of pain from her victim. She sighs and looks at the man addressing her.

“Get me down.” She holds out her arms, and her ghoul effortlessly picks her up and carefully sets her on the floor just as Isabella opened the door. Rorschach says nothing as she watches Isabella casually walk down the stairs and approach her.

“How are their lessons going?” she casually asks.

“They are learning quickly, but this one…” Rorschach gestures to Stephan “…he does not play fair. I would like more time with him.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I am going to have to decline your request.” Isabella said, still acting upon her father’s instructions.

“No charge!” she quickly negotiates.

“I have an idea that may satisfy us both.” Isabella says and then kneels down to whisper her idea into the child’s ear. Rorschach laughs.

“It’s like a game! I like your idea!” Rorschach turns to one of her larger ghouls. “Agony, put him with the others and make certain they are all unshackled. Despair, man the door we are going to play a game.” She orders, bringing her little hands together is eager anticipation.

“May I tell them?” Rorschach asks. When Isabella nods she smiles and addresses the battered group in front of her.

“Pay attention!” She snaps suddenly. The small group quickly turns their gaze to the petite child. “You have 120 seconds to leave this room, if you make it out; there is a white van that will take you to the hospital. Anyone left behind will remain with me for another 10 days. If you move towards the door before signaled you are mine for an additional 5 days.” Her eyes are glittering with plans as she looks at Stephan and John. Isabella casually hands the child her watch so that she is the time keeper.

“I want to watch. Suffering, keep the time.” She orders tossing the time keeping device at another of her large muscular ghouls. He bows graciously and looks at the watch, waiting for the second hand to reach 12.

“Please don’t leave me.” John softly pleads, grabbing Antonio’s arm. Antonio snatches his arm free.

“Go!” the ghoul barks, his deep voice booming in the small room. David is the first to run, making out of the door by the time Suffering reads out 90 seconds left. Antonio and Elise are close behind, scrambling to get to their feet. John tries to catch Antonio, begging not be left behind.

“Stephan, please.” John frantically begs, his crippled leg barely capable of supporting his weight on a good day, is completely useless now.

Stephan grabs John and helps him to his feet. Antonio and Elise made it to the base of the stairs as it was declared that 45 seconds remained. Antonio pushed Elise out of the way and bolts up the stairs. Elise lands with a cry and grabs her ankle. When 30 seconds is announced she claws her way up the stairs as Stephan reaches the bottom step. As quickly as he can he climbs the steps, careful to navigate around Elise who is crying and begging for help.

With adrenaline flooding his system Stephan reaches the door and pushes John out as Suffering notes that only 10 seconds remain. Stephan turns and heads back down to Elise who is only half way up the steps. He grabs her by her arms and hauls her to her feet. The pair works the stairs together.

Rorschach giggles and states how much fun she is having, but hopes Stephan and Elise don’t make it.

7 seconds, and 10 steps remain.

John is shouting at them to hurry.

5 seconds and they still have 8 steps to go.

Suffering counts out 3, they still had 5 steps. Elise forces her wounded ankle to support her weight, crying out with pain in the process.

At 2 seconds their goal looks so far away. “Please God.” Elise whimpers, her nails digging into Stephan’s shoulder.

With a final burst of adrenaline Stephan manages to throw both Elise and himself at the door just Despair slams it shut sealing Stephan, Elise and John safely on the outside. Elise cries with relief and wraps her arms about Stephan’s neck, thanking him repeatedly. Stephan just lies on the cool floor for a few seconds breathing hard.

“We should get to the van before it leaves.” Stephan finally says, his heart still racing. Stephan is first to rise, and then helps Elise find her feet. She leans against the nearby wall, testing her tender ankle as Stephan helps John.

“Can you walk?” Stephan asks Elise.

“To get out of here I’d dance the Tango.”

Stephan nods and makes his way towards the front of the house, moving slow enough to keep pace with Elise.

“Thank you…for not leaving me behind.” John quietly says.

“You are a friend, John.” Is all Stephan says as they near the front door.

..~~~**~~~..

Elise situates herself between Stephan and John and glares at Antonio, who seems not to notice. The driver, a young man in his early 20’s with green and black hair, closes the van doors and climbs into the driver’s seat with out a word. Stephan takes a minute to study the man, using what Lolli had taught him to see the man’s aura. Stephan is surprised to see that this man is not ghoul … a revelation he keeps to himself. The van starts smoothly and makes its way down the long driveway and out onto the street.

The passengers are painfully aware of every bump as the van speeds down the empty street, only to slow to a stop 10 miles away from the Bruno estate.

Curiosity piqued, Stephan peers out the windshield and sees a black van blocking the road.

“What’s going on?” Elise softly asks.

“I’m not certain yet.” He whispers back. The driver leans on the horns and a familiar person emerges from the black van.

“It is Jeremiah?” Stephan volunteers.

“Who?” Elise asks.

“Lolli’s ghoul.”

“She has a ghoul?” John asks in a low voice. The driver snaps at everyone to shut up before leaning out the window demanding the van be moved.

“Now, hold on young’un, I got a proposition for you.” He says in a friendly voice, holding up his hands in a non-threatening manner.

“Oh really what?” the driver shouts out of the window.

Jeremiah pulls a small a stack of 20s, neatly wrapped in a paper band. “You wanna talk ‘bout this like civilized people, or continue shouting?”

Lured by the promise of money the young man gets out the van and approaches Jeremiah, who is still holding out the money.

“What’s the catch?” the driver asks, greedily eying the $2,000 in Jeremiah’s hand.

“I want your passengers.”

“What?”

“The people in your van; I want ‘em. All of ‘em.”

“I dunno. I was paid to take them … someplace.” The driver explains realizing he almost gave up the secret.

“Were you all ready paid to do this?”

“Yeah, I was paid up front.”

“How much?” Jeremiah temptingly waves the bundle of money in a nonchalant manner. The driver’s eyes follow the bouncing cash as he answers $500.

“Now, I know it’s dark out here, so let me explain. This is $2,000. Combine that with the money you all ready got and that $2,500 for what…an hour of work? How often you think something like this comes along?”

“I dunno, man. I mean, I promised.”

“Tell you what. I will throw in a bottle of Johnnie Walker and a bag or pot.”

“Keep the whiskey, but I’ll take the rest.” The driver says, finally taking the cash. Jeremiah smiles and explains he has to get the goods from the van, for which he opens the sliding door. With a big friendly southern smile Jeremiah hands over a decent sized baggie of marijuana and a chocolate bar, explaining the candy was for his munchies. The driver takes both before opening the side doors to his van, and then dives into the candy bar.

“Evenin’ gents…” he looks at Elise and tips is hat “…ma’am. I’d appreciate y’all following me.”

“What if we don’t?” Antonio asks. Jeremiah chooses to ignore him when he notices the Elise’s clothing is doing very little to cover her body. Casually he slips out his trench ands it to her, revealing the small arsenal he is carrying.

“I think you will.” Jeremiah says, his smile never fading.

“Holy fuck!” the driver exclaims, choking on the candy bar.

“You shouldn’t cuss in front of a lady. It’s rude.” He said, offering Elise a hand out of the white van. When her ankle gives, Jeremiah catches her and carries her to his van.

“What do we do?” John asks.

“We follow. Jeremiah will not hurt us.” Stephan says, slowly and painfully climbing out of the van, and then helping John make his way to the black van. With a great deal of reluctance and complaining, Antonio and David soon follow.

Once everyone is the van Jeremiah closes the door, tips his hat to the driver and drives off into the night.

“Hand me your flask.” Lolli politely asks as she emerges from the shadows behind the passenger seat. The group jumps at her sudden appearance as they watch Jeremiah shift to pull an old flask from his back pocket.

“Here. Drink this, it will help.” Lolli says softly, offering it to David who takes the flask with trembling hands. Lolli smiles sweetly as she assures him the container is not poison. David takes a small sip, and then a larger one before handing the hip flask back to Lolli. Slowly she makes the same offer to everyone else, except Stephan, something which escapes everyone’s attention…everyone except Stephan.

“You realize when he doesn’t show up, they’re going to track him down and find out you took us.” Antonio says.

“He’ll be dead in a couple of hours.” Jeremiah says casually, waving in a friendly manner as the white van speeds past.

“What?” Elise asks, unable to keep the shock from her voice.

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to take candy from a stranger?” he responds with a small chuckle

“Lolli? What is in the flask?” Stephan asks, suddenly suspicious as he notices that David has fallen asleep.

“Whiskey.” She answers, as two more of his companions pass out.

“Just whiskey?” Elise slurs before passing out.

“No, it’s drugged.” Lolli says looking directly at Stephan, offering him the flask with her good arm.

“We’re taking you to someplace safe, but you can’t know where we’re going.” Lolli explains.

“Lolli?”

“Please Stephan. It has to be this way.” She whispers, her eyes pleading for him to understand.

“How did you know we would be released tonight?” He asks, taking the flask, but not drinking from it.

“I didn’t. I talked Jeremiah into bringing me here. When I saw your car I wanted to look for you. He said he would do it, but was going to drop me off first…you know, to keep me out of trouble. On our way out the white van passed and I noticed it was turning into Isabella’s house. Jeremiah made me hide in the shadows.” She explains.

“And the money?”

“I didn’t ask.” She says, carefully moving Elise aside to be closer to Stephan.

“What about the poisoned candy?”

“Jeremiah always has something like that on him; you never know when it’ll come in handy.” She answers and then adds in a soft whisper “I was so worried about you.”

He smiles weakly, cups her face and places a delicate kiss upon her lips.

“You need to drink Stephan.” She says softly when their lips part.

“Will you be there when I wake up?” he asks, lifting the flask to his lips.

“Most likely.” She answers; smiling warmly and watching him drink the drugged whiskey she then sits with him until he succumbs to the powerful drug.

..~~~**~~~..

“They’re going to be here a while.” Dr. Mike reports.

“How long?” Jeremiah asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

“A months, maybe two…they’ve been tortured, some of them will require surgery?”

“What about John’s leg?” Lolli asks.

Dr. Mike sighs heavily “The damage to his leg is very old, and will need a specialist to be repaired. I can’t do it.” He answers, slowly making his way back towards the large, windowless private room the Ventrue ghouls were in.

A small electronic chirping sound is heard and Dr. Mike pulls a beeper from his pocket. “I need to leave, but my ghoul will be available to help.” He says in an apologetic tone as he reviews the number on his beeper.

“Your boy will be up soon. You best get in there, I gotta call your sire.”

Lolli quietly walks into the large room where the 5 Ventrue ghouls lay recovering. Casually she goes around the room, and hits a small button which triggers their pain meds. John, who is next to Stephan, carefully grabs Lolli’s arm, preventing her from drugging him.

“Thank you.” He says in a foggy voice.

“You’re welcome.”

“Stephan got the worst of it.” John volunteers.

“Why?”

“He wouldn’t break. He wouldn’t…” he pauses, his heavily lids sliding closed as he adds “…give you up.”

Lolli cocks her head and looks at John, pondering his words as she presses the button and sends him back into oblivion.

She stands next to Stephan, waiting for him to open his eyes. After a few seconds, she carefully lifts the blanket to examine the cuts Sydney left. She gasps softly at the sight of the brand. She gently replaces the blanket and notices that Stephan’s eyes are sluggishly opening.

“Hi.” She says warmly, smiling at him.

“The others?” he asks.

“They’re here…sleeping.”

“Good.” He’s trying to force his brain out of the drug induced haze, but the pain of his body gives him pause.

“Easy Stephan, you’re going to be here for a bit.”

“How long?”

“Dr. Mike thinks a month or two.”

“I…cannot think…” he says as his hand lethargically reaches for the wound on his chest, Lolli grabs his hand.

“I’m going to make your regnant pay for this.” She promises.

“No!” he weakly exclaims.

“No?”

“It wasn’t Emma.”

“Emma?” Lolli asks, trying to figure out how Emma came up in the conversation. “Emma?” she asks again, her mind working on the connection. “Emma!” Lolli gasps, remembering the night the Ventrue entered both John’s and Stephan’s minds.

“Emma is your regnant?” she asks, Stephan only has the strength to nod.

Lolli turns quickly to face Jeremiah who has just walked into the room. “Emma is their regnant! Not Isabella, not until she presents herself to the Prince.” The wheels were turning, Jeremiah could see her plotting.

“What are you thinkin’, little girl?” he asks, not entirely sure he wants the answer.

“Lolli…no…please, not Emma.” Stephan weakly protests, pulling Lolli’s attention back to him.

“It’s all right Stephan. I will do nothing against Emma.” She reaches over and presses the button, sending Stephan back into a drug induced sleep. “Go back to sleep.”

Lolli turns to Jeremiah, about to share her plan with him, when her cell phone signals a incoming text.

“Are you serious?!” Lolli snaps.

“What?” As if for an answer she pushes the small device into Jeremiah’s face. He backs away, trying to read the message.

“Isabella wants to talk to me about a job. She claiming Peltier has Stephan.” Fury dancing in her emerald green eyes.